We recently connected with Kayebree Craw and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kayebree, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I always knew I wanted to be an artist or to be in a creative position. All growing up I would gift drawings to teachers, friends, and family. Finding out what their favorite things were so that I could use it as my art. It always made me so happy to spend so much time perfecting each piece in hopes of it making them excited! I actually don’t have much of my art from elementary through high school because I rarely drew anything for myself!
My art style really resonated with tattooing and I loved that it was a career I would never stop learning in. I found artists that I enjoyed and to look up to and most of them I’m still really inspired by. When I was finally old enough I went to one of these artists to get a tattoo and asked as many questions as 17 year old me could possibly think of. I was absolutely enthralled with the entire process and knew this was where I wanted to be for the rest of my life! So I spent the next two years building a strong portfolio to go to shops with looking for an apprenticeship as soon as I was ready!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I started tattooing in 2022 and have been doing it ever since! I specialize in illustrative blackwork pieces emphasizing in florals, bugs, animals, etc. But I also really enjoy ornamental tattoos! I have a huge love for texture in tattooing! Not texture that can be felt but rather seen. As realistic as possible but still keeping it illustrative! The shading I do is called whip shading, which gives it more of a peppery soft look, rather than a smooth look just adding to the texture!
Starting this year and for the foreseeable future my priority is to step out of my comfort zone by guest spotting at different shops, going to conventions in different states, and hopefully eventually, different countries. However the biggest upcoming event is the opening of my own private studio starting June 2026! I am ecstatic to be moving into a direction that will hopefully be the beginning of me taking on apprentices and starting my own shop!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I feel like the most beneficial thing for me was to be able to take constructive criticism, and to take it and apply it to my work. But to also know that art is art and I don’t need to follow every single rule. Tattooing is a very serious art form considering that its worn on someone else’s body for the rest of their life. Being able to be told what should be different or how to make things better is a huge skill. However, enjoying the craft and still being able to do fun things and have creative freedom is important a well, as it shows in the work when you don’t enjoy what you do.
Second, is to love every single kind of person. As a tattoo artist there isn’t a single kind of demographic that comes to you. Every single kind of person sits in your chair and for different reasons too. Whether that be for a memorial tattoo, something for fun, something that means a lot, or simply they just find it pretty. Its important to have respect and empathy for every single person
Lastly, reminding myself that I’m human and thats okay. I can’t draw everything and sometimes my art isn’t the perfect fit for somebody and its important to not beat myself up if I struggle to make something work. Art block exists for every single artist out there and the passion and creativity will always come back.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I grew up in a very creative home and my parents always encouraged that. They never made my siblings and I feel pressured into a specific direction. It was always whatever would make us happy, they would support us the entire way there. They did that very well and they continue to do so. My mom painted all the time growing up and still does to this day. Being able to do that with her and have fun with her while doing so was definitely an impactful thing as a child considering I’m a full time artist now!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://venue.ink/@tattoos.by.bees?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnpzpnW4Y49oFNucVx78yY6-W5ceEhtSYGlflddSc1NGCmXSESZ_LaOe03Lio_aem_GQ4WxODGofhB9AxJWT_bZg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoos.by.bees/
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